Foe bicycles



No Modeal.) R Q SCHBRLING.

BAGKBGNE GOUPLING FOR BIGYGLBS. No. 285,685. Patented Sept. 25, 1888.

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` 'wl/leggas; i LLverltnri UNITED ySTATES PATENT OFFICE.

RUDOLPH C. SCHERLING, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR OF 'ONE-HALF TO ST. NICHOLAS TOY COMPANY, OF SAME PLACE.

BACKBONEZCOUPLING FOR BICYCLES.

SPECIFICATION forming part ofy Letters Patent No. 285,685, dated September 25, 1853.

Application filed April 20,1283. (No model.)

To all whom, it may concern..-

Be it known that I, RUDOLPH C. SCHER- LING, of Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, haveI invented certain new and useful Improvements in Couplings for the Backbones of Bicycles; an d I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and eXact description of the invention, which will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to letters of reference marked thereon, which form a part Vof this specification.

The principal object of lny invention is to furnish a strong, durable coupling vfor connecting the backbone of bicycles to the neck ofthe steering-head and to the rear fork of the same, which avoids the results of the strain at the p oint of connection and consequent splitting of the ends of or cutting ofthe backbone laterally, that so frequently happens in the common coupling now in current use. This I accomplish by placing in and near the ends of the backbone a bushing which is tapped to receive a screw extending into the bore of the same from the neck of the steering head or shank of the rear-fork, and also by beveling the end edges of the backbone, which, when coupled, enters an annular inversely-beveled lnortise in the abutting-shoulder on the neck of the steering'head or shank of the rear fork.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a side elevation of the backbone as coupled to the neck of the steering-head and shank ofthe rear fork. Fig 2 is a sectional view of the couplino.

Ibn the drawings, A represents a tubular backbone for bicycles, the end edge, a a, of which is beveled, and which is provided with the bushings in its bore, `near either end thereof. Connected to the steering-center D by means of a neck, d, is a boss, YD', corresponding indiameter and circumference to` the tubular backbone, and provided with the inverselybeveled shoulder c, against which the correspondingly-beveled.end edges, a a, of the backbone abut. From this beveled shoulder the boss D is stepped to a diameter corresponding to that of the bore of said backbone, into which it is adapted to enter. EX-

tending centrally and longitudinally into the bore of the backbone from the stepped portion of the boss D is the screw C, which is When the coupling is properly made, the

beveled end edges of the backbone will be confined within the inversely-beveled shoulder. Thus when there is any radial strain this joint resists the tendency of said ends a a to split.

When the coupling is complete I prevent the parts from any possible unscrewing or separation by passing a suitable rivet laterally through that part of the backbone in which the bushing b is set and the screw, tllus making a permanent and perfect coupling.

The cutting of the backbone radially, and the splitting of its ends, which I have elucidated in the two neXt preceding paragraphs, are objections which are frequently experienced in the use of the old coupling, which consists merely in a plug extending from the neck of the steering head or shank of the rear fork, of the same diameter as the bore of said backbone, in which it is brazed and riveted, its square end edges bearing flush against the corresponding shoulder of the said plug.

What I claim asl new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

l. The combination, with a tubular backbone for bicycles, &c., having suitable tapped bushing in and near the ends thereof, of a screw extending directly or indirectly from a suitable head or shank or other suitable formation.

2. The combination, with a tubular backbone for bicycles or other-vehicles, the end edges thereof being beveled, and having bushings inserted in and near said ends, of a steering head or other device having a shoulder which is inversely beveled, and having a screw eX- tending into the bore of said backbone and engaging the tapped bushing therein. I

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own Ihereunto affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

RUDOLPH C. SCHERLING. Witnesses:

JAMES H. CoYNE, AFRANK D. THoMAsoN.

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